Writing Excuses - 1

Homework: Take Rob’s explanation of what it feels like to be him, and write a character from that POV.

"Did you hear me?"

The customer waits for my answer. I can't speak. I can't breathe.

"Are you okay?" Her voice seems far away as I feel my chest tightening. My heart beats faster. I try to focus on her face as it slowly bobs out of view. I grip the counter to steady myself, fighting the dizziness overtaking the edges of my vision. I can't breathe.

My heart races faster. Not now. Not here. Don't panic!

I hear a muffled voice. I can't focus on anything. My heart is thundering loudly in my chest, threatening to burst through. I can't breathe. I can't breathe!

I gasp for breath, trying to inhale the thickness of the air. My hands shake as I slide to the ground. I'm dying. This is killing me. I can't breathe. I can't think.

It doesn't feel real, but I'm drowning in the fear of my heart exploding. It's beating way too fast. Breathe!

I'm probably going to die. I can't breathe!

In one last burst of desperation, I pull my water bottle down from the counter, pull off the lid, and place it to my lips...

In the water, I breathe. I take a long, slow drink. I close my eyes, feeling the sensation of cold as it slides down my throat. I visualize the water bringing air to my lungs and calm to my chest.

With each breath, the panic loosens its grip, little by little. The dizziness starts to fade, and my breathing, though still shallow, feels less desperate.

I take another drink. Inhale, exhale

My heartbeat is still pounding, but the frantic rush of panic has receded. It feels like I’ve been running for hours, and there's a dull ache in my chest.

The worst is over. I pull myself up off the floor.